George Koukou

George Koukou (born 25 May 1945) was acting Speaker of the National Transitional Legislative Assembly of Liberia from 17 March 2005 to January 2006. Originally from Nimba County, he now resides in the capital city of Monrovia. He is a member of the Mano ethnic group.

Prior to becoming a member of the National Transitional Legislative Assembly, Koukou was a Senator from Nimba County. [ [http://www.marinelog.com/DOCS/MMFeb07.html "Liberian Senate suspends chairman of maritime committee"] , "Marine Log", February 7, 2000.] Koukou replaced George Dweh as Speaker of the transitional legislature on 17 March 2005 after Dweh was suspended indefinitely on 14 March for spending money without proper authorization. [ [http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?reportid=53466 "LIBERIA: Appeals for calm amid parliament corruption row"] , IRIN, March 17, 2005.]

On 17 July 2007, Koukou was arrested along with several others, including former army chief of staff Charles Julue, for alleged participation in a coup plot against President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. [ [http://www.africasia.com/services/news/newsitem.php?area=africa&item=070719191626.130fwbb8.php "Ex-parliament chief arrested as Liberia 'coup plot' probe widens"] , AFP (Africasia.com), July 19, 2007.] He and Julu were charged with treason. [ [http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/07/21/africa/AF-GEN-Liberia-Coup-Plot.php "Liberia authorities charge two with treason in alleged coup plot"] , Associated Press ("International Herald Tribune"), July 20, 2007.] Koukou has claimed he does not have the money to hire a lawyer. On 27 August, Monrovia Magistrate Court Judge Milton Taylor ruled that his court could not try Koukou because treason was above its jurisdiction, and he transferred the trial to Criminal Court "A". [ [http://apanews.net/apa.php?page=show_article_eng&id_article=40434 "Liberia: Second treason suspect’s trial transferred to Criminal Court ’A’"] , African Press Agency, August 28, 2007.]

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